Im tired of living to eat!

IndyRichard
IndyRichard Posts: 21
edited September 22 in Food and Nutrition
I'm not sure when this unhealthy relationship with food began, but I am beyond ready for it to end. I just have no idea how to get there! My life isn't all that interesting. The most exciting part of my day is planning my next meal and then stuffing myself with it until my stomach hurts. And even though it hurts, I continue to do it. Food is all I ever think about. I feel ashamed even admitting it. It's something I obsess over. I obsess over it when Im eating it and when I'm not. I usually just end up eating to end the war in my head. But really, it never ends. I need something to take the place of food. Something I can do when I start the war of wanting to eat something just because I'm bored or because everyone else is or because it is so good even when I'm not hungry. I want to know what it feels like to eat to live again. A feeling I don't remember feeling since I was a child.

Replies

  • leandread
    leandread Posts: 166 Member
    I had a tear spring to my eye as I read your post because it says so much about what goes on in my daily routine....Even when your belly is full and pained from food, you don't feel full and satisfied.

    **hugs**

    So, what can we do to move forward and not despair? How can we help each other through this?
  • mizfit
    mizfit Posts: 118
    Hello,

    You are not alone in your struggle with binge eating. There are forums on here that will give you the support and encouragement that you need. Go under search and type in "support for binge eating". You have taken a huge step in admitting your addiction to food and you will definately be able to find a lot of support from fellow MFPers in the same situation. Please feel free to add me as a friend if you wish.
  • IndyRichard
    IndyRichard Posts: 21
    Thank u both! I'm constantly getting good advice and support from mfp, but I am still struggling. Not sure what to do but take one day at a time.
  • wyze
    wyze Posts: 248
    Hello, i dont know what else is going on in ur life, could u be eating to suppress your emotions or something?

    I really dont know what to say except to wish you good luck. Maybe find a hobby, try something new like having dance classes or learning to play an instrument. learn a craft, something that takes up your time.

    Hugs
  • nubreeze33
    nubreeze33 Posts: 270
    You can overcome.........you start with the faith to be willing to go to battle for what you desire. Believing you can conquer it. If you believe in yourself you can do alot, If you believe in a GOD who created you then you can do ANYTHING. Best of everything.......If anyone can help you through it, it's the family here on myfitnesspal. We know the struggle.
  • clioandboy
    clioandboy Posts: 963 Member
    YOu are in the right place, you can gain control over this, it will be hard work but you can do this, the obsession needs to change focus from obsessing about getting the food in to obsessing about getting a healthy limited amount of food in.

    I know that THE real trick is to cure the underlying probs that create the need for obsessions but I am a bit more pragmatic than that... Change direction make your obsessing positive, binge on exercise.... Get to where you like yourself a little more then attack the underlying

    Good luck Debbie
  • Natalie0506
    Natalie0506 Posts: 163
    *hugs* I'm happy you're here! The first step to fixing any problem is asking for help. I also tend to binge eat, but not with every meal. When I have a particularly hard day or if I'm just stressed out and really tired, I go for the chocolate and the chips. What really helps me out is not having that stuff in the house. When I'm hungry, I'll eat a bowl of greek yogurt and some berries, or a banana, or even an apple. Something to satisfy my hunger while not grabbing something that's totally going to ruin my day. It's tough to get into that mind set, but you can do it!

    It will be a long road for you to get to the point where you don't give in, and that's okay. Don't beat yourself up when you slip back into old habits. Use it as a learning experience! When you eat food that's good for you, take your time. Pay attention to how you feel after you're done. Then think about how you'd feel after you ate a lot of food that's bad for you. Paying attention to how your body reacts is probably your best way to see what you do and don't need in your life.
  • cabocobo
    cabocobo Posts: 15
    I can totally relate to this.
    What helps me a little is to find something to do that I feel good about, that I'm proud of. In my case it's painting or cleaning up.
    It also good idea to lower the stress level and to keep your place clean and yourself well-groomed.

    Boyfriend is not a bad idea too. :) Often binge eaters compensate for lack of physical contact and loneliness.

    Just hold on, and don't give up :flowerforyou:
  • rdksu28
    rdksu28 Posts: 1
    Unfortunately I think most of us feel the way you do. There is no easy answer and its different for everyone, drink lots of water and remember, " Nothing tastes as good as being fit feels" Good luck!!!
  • paticap
    paticap Posts: 21
    I was there when I joined MFP. The key for me was to get sugar out of my system. Carbs as well since they turn to sugar. Both increase your appetite like crazy! I literally had to detox from them. It was like a bad drug in my system.It took a few days and I had to trick my body with sugar free treats that tasted sweet but didn't put sugar in my system. At the same time load up on protein since it makes you feel satisfied the longest. Once you are over the hump you will feel a zillion times better. Sugar has a weird effect on your mental state and tends to bring you down mentally. Get rid of it and you won't believe the difference! Best of luck. I know you can do it.
  • midonhau
    midonhau Posts: 108 Member
    Prior to joining MFP I could relate to how u're feeling. I was (still am, because it's not like I'm fully over it lol) an emotional eater and many times I ate not because I was hungry but simply to stuff my feelings instead of dealing with them. If I had an extremely hard day at work I would turn to food for comfort. I think back now to the days I would order a pizza and just sit in front of the tv and eat it all by myself.....I would binge on food then feel bad, get depressed (esp when I realized my clothes couldn't fit) then I'd turn to food for comfort again and the cycle would just continue.

    I am realising now that it's about balance...no one is saying u can't eat the foods u enjoy but it must be done in moderation, we must learn to listen to our bodies and know when it's full and most importantly...physical activity of any kind is important.

    I know the immediate goal for many of us is to lose weight but there is a bigger picture. We have one body and if we don't take care of it so much will come back to haunt us later in life. I'm still relatively young and haven't had children yet and I visited the doctor recently and was shocked to learn some of the risks I was at if I didn't make a change ....not just in my diet but a lifestyle one. This means everything from getting enough sleep to eating properly to brushing your teeth properly to getting some daily exercise. Who knew that gum disease could cause health complications.

    I know it feels hard Indy but focus on taking daily steps toward your goals. You CAN do it so don't feel overwhelmed.
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